BlueNav BlueSpin 15 kW retractable in-hull electric pod motor

Overview

Retractable 360-degree electric pod for hybrid boats

BlueNav's 15 kW BlueSpin is a retractable, steerable pod for hybrid new-builds and refits where low-speed control matters.

Year

2026

Boat Type

Other

Propulsion

Electric Inboard

Location

France

About the BlueSpin 15 kW Inboard

BlueNav's BlueSpin 15 kW Inboard is not a conventional shaft-drive motor. Its steerable pod is fitted through the hull and lowers into the water when electric propulsion is needed, then retracts when the boat returns to its combustion engine. That arrangement is aimed mainly at hybrid boats whose owners want silent harbour operation, precise docking or short zero-emission passages without leaving a fixed pod in the flow at higher speed. The unit turns through 360 degrees and works with BlueNav's control display and navigation software. BlueNav lists the motor at 15 kW, 48 volts and 65 kg, with a stated 25 hp equivalence. It can be specified for a new boat or incorporated into a refit, but the hull opening, structure, controls and battery installation make this a yard-level project rather than a bolt-on portable motor.

Best For

Hybrid boats that need a retractable auxiliary drive
New-build or professionally managed refit projects
Owners prioritizing docking control and low-speed operation

Performance in Context

The 25 hp figure is BlueNav's equivalence claim, not a 25 hp mechanical-output rating; the published electrical power is 15 kW. Speed and range are not fixed because BlueNav integrates the motor into different hulls and battery packages. Its most distinctive performance feature is directional control: a 360-degree pod can provide lateral and rotational manoeuvring that a fixed shaft cannot. Buyers should ask for a hull-specific propulsion study and clarify whether the proposed installation uses one or two units.

Battery and Charging

The motor operates on a 48-volt system. BlueNav describes charging from a standard 230-volt connection, while battery capacity and charge time depend on the pack selected for the boat. The battery, power unit, control hardware and charging equipment should be treated as one engineered system. Published motor weight does not include the batteries or installation structure, both of which affect displacement and trim.

Availability and Pricing

BlueNav sells configured systems rather than a universal boxed package. The current range includes 8, 11 and 15 kW outboard products as well as the 15 kW in-hull unit. Pricing for the in-hull installation is by quotation and should identify the battery capacity, controls, structural work, commissioning and after-sales support included. The old directory price has been removed because BlueNav does not publish a current fixed retail figure for this configuration.